Fauna
Fungus

Stinking Brittlegill

Russula foetens

Also known as Stinking Russula, Fetid Russula, Foetid Russula

Stinking brittlegills emerge from forest soils throughout summer and autumn, releasing a powerful odor resembling rancid oil, bitter almonds, or damp carpet. Their yellowish-tan caps feature deeply grooved margins and often produce clear droplets of amber liquid when young and moist. Like other members of the genus, their brittle stems snap cleanly like chalk rather than tearing into fibrous strands.

FungiWoodlandPungent
Stinking Brittlegill reference1 / 7
(c) Анна Кириченко, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyMycorrhizal
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Fungus gnat larvae
  • Red squirrels
ThreatsForest clearing and soil compaction
HabitatsDeciduous and coniferous forests
Life spanFruiting bodies persist 4–10 days
Classification
  1. OrderRussulales
  2. FamilyRussulaceae
  3. GenusRussula
  4. SpeciesRussula foetens
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Ingestion causes severe stomach distress, and wild mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Why it is dangerous
Contains gastrointestinal toxins that cause severe nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting if consumed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by its slimy tan cap with deeply grooved edges, cream gills, and pungent unpleasant scent.
What to do
Observe in place without collecting for food, and wash hands after touch or handling.
Responsible observation
  • Scent identification: Take a gentle whiff near the cap to detect its characteristic rancid, almond-like odor.
  • Inspect cap margins: Look for the distinct deep grooves running radially around the edge of mature specimens.
  • Observe tree associations: Search near the roots of broadleaf and coniferous trees where the fungal network connects.
Related species
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